Lahore Tops World’s Most Polluted Cities List Again Amid Smog Concerns
For the second time in a week, Lahore, a major city in Pakistan, has been ranked as the world’s most polluted city. Despite efforts by the provincial government to combat smog and air pollution, Lahore reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 208, surpassing New Delhi, which had a score of 164. The US embassy’s local monitoring showed an even higher AQI of 252, indicating very unhealthy air conditions.
This ranking is concerning, especially since it occurred on a day when schools were closed and traffic was minimal due to holidays. This raises questions about previous assessments that blamed transportation as the main source of pollution. On October 12, Lahore also reported the worst air quality globally, signaling an early start to the smog season.
A senior official from the environment protection and climate change department expressed alarm over Lahore’s repeated top ranking in pollution. Surveys indicated that transport vehicles contribute to 39% of the smog in Lahore. Despite reduced traffic, the city remains the most polluted according to global AQI rankings.
Munawar Sabir, a former chairperson of the Punjab University Geography Department, highlighted the critical situation and urged the government to take serious action. He warned that the pollution level is leading to environmental destruction and poses a threat to life in the region. However, he noted that the government and environment ministry are taking comprehensive steps to address the issue.
Provincial Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has mobilized various departments, including police, education, traffic, and environment protection, to implement measures to reduce smog. Efforts include cracking down on factories, brick kilns, and farmers contributing to air pollution, as well as taking action against industrial units lacking emission control systems. The most densely populated areas of Lahore and other major cities are experiencing the worst impacts of smog.
Doubts Revealed
Lahore -: Lahore is a big city in Pakistan, which is a country next to India. It’s known for its rich history and culture.
Most Polluted Cities -: This means cities that have a lot of dirty air, which is not good for people to breathe. Pollution can come from cars, factories, and other sources.
Smog -: Smog is a type of air pollution that looks like fog but is made of smoke and other pollutants. It can make it hard to see and breathe.
Air Quality Index (AQI) -: AQI is a number that tells us how clean or dirty the air is. A higher number means the air is more polluted and not safe to breathe.
208 -: In the AQI, 208 is a high number, which means the air is very polluted and can be harmful to health.
Transport vehicles -: These are cars, buses, trucks, and other vehicles that move people and goods. They can cause pollution by releasing smoke and gases.
Emission control systems -: These are technologies used to reduce the amount of pollution that vehicles and factories release into the air.